Women's Probation Detention Center

The Women's Probation Detention Center is a minimum-security, short-term facility for adult female probationers that is located in Claxton, Georgia. The maximum capacity of this detention center is 236, and the host facility is Smith State Prison. The average stay at this facility is 90 days.

This six-acre property opened in 1992 as the state of Georgia's first detention center for female offenders. This center provides probationers with a highly structured environment and regimented schedules. The housing at the Women's Probation Detention Center is four open dormitories with bunk beds.

Residents can be sentenced directly to this facility as an alternative to jail or prison. Or, they can be housed here as a result of probation revocation. The operational theme of the Women's Probation Detention Center is "Women Working." It combines rehabilitation programs, community service, self-discipline, and labor in order to improve residents' self-confidence, independence, and respect for themselves and others.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

COVID 19 Modified Visitation

As of July 2021, only modified visitation is allowed at Women's Probation Detention Center because of the pandemic. All visitors must request the visit in advance by accessing the Georgia DOC website and they must be on their inmate's approved visitation list.

Visit scheduling requests are accepted between 5:00 am on Monday and 5:00 pm on Wednesday for that week’s visitation ONLY.

• Inmates with last names beginning A - L visit on Sunday. Session one is from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and session two is from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.
• Inmates with last names beginning M - Z visit on Saturday between 9:00 am - 11:00 am for session one and between 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm for session two.

When the DOC approves your request, you will receive an email confirmation. Inmates are only allowed one visit every other month during modified visitation, and visits can last a maximum of two hours. 

No more than two approved visitors are allowed, and they must visit at the same time. No minor visitors under the age of twelve are allowed during modified visitation.

Disposable face masks are provided and must be worn at all times. Seating is socially distanced at twelve feet apart, and barriers separating offenders and loved ones are in place. No physical contact with inmates is allowed. Hand sanitizer is available, and vending machines are closed.

Women's Probation Detention Center visiting hours are on Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Who Can Visit?

Members of an inmate's immediate family (parents, brothers, sisters, spouse, grandparents, grandchildren, and children) are eligible for visitation approval. If you are not an immediate family member, you still may be allowed to visit as a significant relationship visitor. However, the inmate must initiate the request.

The inmate must put you on their visiting list first and the Georgia Department of Corrections must approve your application before you can visit. Visitor applications are available by clicking here. 

General Visiting Rules

A photo ID is required to enter the visiting room. Visitors are also allowed to bring a set of car keys and a maximum of $20 in coins for the vending machines.

Food or drink from the outside is not allowed in the visiting room, and you can't bring items to give to an inmate. All visitors are subject to a search of their person, and all items that visitors bring in are searched.

Dress Code

Visitors at Women's Probation Detention Center are required to wear appropriate clothing in the visiting room. Shoes are required of all visitors -- including children -- at all times. Inappropriate clothing includes, but is not limited to: 

• Dresses that expose shoulders or the chest area
• Dresses, skirts, or other similar garments that are more than two inches above the knees
• Tops which expose shoulders or chest area
• Tube tops or halter tops
• Clothing which reveals the stomach or midriff area
• Clothing that is made of sheer, net, mesh, or transparent material
• Shorts or any kind of slacks that are above the knee 
• Leggings, jeggings, or any other skin tight pants

Male visitors are required to wear shirts and full-length pants. Female visitors must wear foundation type garments such as bras and underwear.

How to Call an Inmate

You can't call inmates at the Women's Probation Detention Center, but the residents do have access to phones during certain hours and are allowed to make outgoing calls.

How to Send Money

You can send money to a resident of Women's Probation Detention Center through JPay (online or phone), MoneyGram (in person), or money order (US Mail). You must be on a recipient’s approved visitor list to use any payment method.

Programs For Inmates

• Academic: General Education Diploma, Adult Basic Education
• Counseling: Pre-Release, Re-Entry, Women's Health Issues, Mind Over Mood, Mental Health Group, Motivation For Change, Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous
• Recreation: General Recreation
• Religious Activities: Various Worship Services And Bible Study

Outside work detail assignments include: Cities of Claxton, Pembroke, Richmond Hill, Evans County & Vidalia as well as for the Bryan County Recreation Department and the Evans & Tattnall County School systems. 

The residents at the Women's Probation Detention Center have been involved with special projects, including preparation for Glennville's Sweet Onion Festival, Claxton's Rattlesnake Roundup, and assistance with local government projects as needed. Residents have also been involved with restoration efforts for the city of Collins gymnasium, along with the restoration and maintenance of the DeLoach home in Hagan.

Pictures of Women's Probation Detention Center

Careers at Women's Probation Detention Center

If you are interested in a career with the Georgia Department of Corrections and would like more information about the job openings at the Women's Probation Detention Center, click here.